Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-02-24

SendcrS OF the dis
MRS ""hiboDN. patch, and that they
were now in the office of the hotel, wait
ing her pleasure. Mr. Ryder further in
formed her that these gentlemen had only
stipulated that they should not reveal their
real names, and that they should be intro
duced to her simply as the respective "Seven-
ty-four" and "Seventy-iive" who had signed
the dispatch sent to the late Mr.. Rightbody.
Mrs Rightbody at first demurred to this;
but, Oh the assurance from Mr. Ryder that
this was the only condition on which an
interview would be granted, finally con-
sented
| "Iou viii find them square men, even If
! they are little rough, ma'am. But, if you'd
| like Inc to be present, I'll stop; though l
reckon, if ye'd calkilated on that. you'd have
| had me take care O your business by proxy.
| and not come yourself three thousand miles
to do it."
Mrs Rightbody believed it better to see
them alone.
! "All right, ma'am. I'll hang round out
here; and eff We should happen to hev a tick
lin in your throat, and bad spell O. coughin',
I'll drop in, careless like, to see if you don't
want them drops. Sabe 2"
And with an exceedingly arch wink and a
slight familiar tap on Mrs. Rightbody's shoul-
der, which might have caused the late Mr..
Rightbody to burst his sepulchre, he with
drew.
A very timid, hesitati1g tap on the door
was followed by the entrance of two men,
both of whom, in general size, strength, and
uncouthness, were ludicrously inconsistent
with their diffident announcement. They
proceeded in Indian file to the center of the
room, faced Mrs. Rightbody, acknowledged
her deep courtesy by strong shake of the
hand, and, drawing two chairs opposite to
her, sat down side by side.
Il presume l have the pleasure of address
ing" began Mrs Rightbody.
The man directly opposite Mrs Rightbody
turned to the other inquiringly.
The other man nodded his head, and re-
plied
"Seventy-four."
"Seventy-fve," promptly followed the
other.
Mrs. Rightbody paused, a little confused.
II have sent for you," she began again,
ito learn something more of the circunl-
stances under which you gentlemen sent
dispatch to my late husband"
"The circumstances, replied Seventy four,
quietly, with side glance at his companion,
fpanned out about in this yer style. We
hung man, named Josh Silsbie, down at
e. -, 7
I speak for Seventy-ive yer as is present,
as well as representa-, so to speak, seventy
two other gents as is scattered. We hung
Josh Silsbie on squar', pretty squar', evidence.
Afore he was strung up Seventy-five yer
axed him, accordin' to custom, eff ther was
emmy thing he had to say, or emmy request
that he allowed to make of US. He turns to
Seventy-fve yer, and"
Here he paused suddenly, looking at his
companion.
"He sez, sez he" began Seventy-five, taking
up the narrative-"he sez, Kin I write a
letter. sez he. Sez I, Not much, ole man;
we've got no time Sez he, kin / send a dis
patch by telegraph I sez, 'Heave ahead
He sez-these is his dientikal words-'Send to
Adam Rightbody, Boston. Tell him to re-
member lis sacred compack with me thirty
years ago"
"'His sacred compack with me thirty years
aco,'n echoed Seventy -four-"his dientikal
words"
"What was the compact?" asked Mrs. Right
body anxiously
Seventy-four looked at Seventy-fve, and
then both arose and retired to the corner of
the parlor, where they engaged in a slow but
whispered deliberation. Presently they re-
turned and sat down again.
"We allow said Seventy -four, quietly but
decidedly, "that you know what that sacred
compact was"
Mrs. Rightbody lost her temper and her
truthfulness together. "Of course" she said
hurriedly, Il know. But do you mean to say
that you gave this poor man no further chance
to explain before you murdered hims"
Seventy-four and Seventy-five both rose
again slowly and retired. When they re-
turned again and sat down, Seventy-tive,
who by this time, through some subtle mag
netism, Mrs Rightbody began TO recognize as
the superior power, said gravely:
awe wish to say, regarding this yer muir
der, that Seventy-four and me is equally re-
sponsible; that we reckon also TO represent, so
to speak, seventy-two other gentlemen as is
scattered: that we are ready, Seventy-four
and me. to take and holt that responsibility.
now and at any time, afore every man or
men as kin he fetched agin us. We wish TO
say that this yer say of ours holds good yer
in Californy, or in any part of these United
States"
Cor in Canady," suggested Seventy-four
@Or in Canady. We wouldn't agree to cross
the water, or so to furrin parts, unless abso-
lutely necessary. We leaves the chise of wep-
pings to your principal, ma'am, or being
lady, ma'am, and interested, to any one you
may fetch to act for him. An advertisement
in any of the Sacramento papers, or play
card or handbill stuck unto tree near Dead
wood, saying that Seventy-four or Seventy